The Nations Cup is probably the big highlight at the CHIO in Aachen. Not only is there a special atmosphere in the team competition, there are also good chances of winning for the German team.
It is always something special when the world elite of show jumping compete against each other in a team competition under the floodlights of the Aachen Riding Stadium. At the Nations Cup (live from 8.15 p.m. on WDR television and live stream), the mood of the Aachen audience changes within a few seconds from calm tension to compassionate whispering to thunderous applause.
The national trainer of the German show jumpers, Otto Becker, was able to actively participate in the Nations Cup both as a rider and as a trainer. “It’s unbelievable when the stadium is full and the floodlights are on. It gives you goosebumps. These are special moments that you have to enjoy,” he said. In around three and a half hours it will be decided which nation will win the prestigious title.
Since 1928 there have been 28 German victories
A team consists of four riders, who all compete against each other in two rounds. The scores of the best three jumpers per round are counted. Only the top eight nations reach the second round.
The competition has a long tradition in Aachen. In 1929 the Nations Cup was held for the first time. Germany is the record winner with 28 successes. The German fans will also look back fondly on the past year. Christian Kukuk, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, André Thieme and Jana Wargers won the Nations Cup in front of their home crowd, ahead of Belgium and Great Britain.
Almost nobody from the winning team is there
From the winning team of 2022, only Wargers will be there this year. The 31-year-old not only impressed in the team competition, but also took a strong 9th place in the individual competition at the 2022 World Championships in Herning (Denmark). At the World Cup, only veteran Marcus Ehning from the German team was better in fifth place. Ehning is also part of the German team.
In addition, national coach Otto Becker nominated Hans-Dieter Dreher and Mario Stevens. Gerrit Nieberg, on the other hand, will not be there. The national coach justified this decision with the fact that Nieberg was already seeded for Sunday’s show-jumping due to his surprise success at the “Aachen Grand Prix”.
“There are only 40 starting places for the Grand Prix on Sunday with 60 riders, so it’s not that easy to qualify. That’s why André Thieme isn’t there either,” said Becker. He would also like to use jumping as a sighting for the upcoming European Championships.
“All teams have a chance”
As the defending champion, the German team is a contender for victory. But the national coach expects a close competition. “All teams have a chance, it’s always exciting until the end. The day’s form and maybe a bit of luck also decide,” said Becker. The USA and Sweden teams will also want to have a say in the battle for the podium.
